CBS Channel 47 News Anchor Ladies-Susie Frankeberger, Meg Oliver
Yeah that's him with the ladies
FranCisco displayed a couple of his aged metal signs among his photography
They were dancing away with the music of Reggie and the Mighty Stantons
From the Fresno Bee
April 5, 2004
A night of Cuban dancing keeps center in fit shape
Social event raises money for Level 1 trauma service.
By Peter Robertson
Special to the Bee
Salsa, mojito cocktails and Cuban cigars helped set the stage for Saturday's Hot Havana Nights, which raised money for the Level 1 trauma center at Community Medical Centers.
Nearly 350 people paid $50 each to attend the event at The Tower at Convention Center Court in downtown Fresno. Also known as the United Security Bank building, The Tower's patio location proved a fitting backdrop to the Cuban-themed event.
Hot Havana Nights was put on by The Shakers, a group of local business professionals who raise money for Community.
Volunteer Katie Flinn and her escort, Nathan Rupich, registered guests. The building's lobby displayed a colorful photographic exhibit, "Signs of Havana" by FranCisco Vargas. His work, on loan from Arte Americas, included shots of the Habana Cafe, vintage automobiles, cigar shops and Museo Hemingway.
Nearby, Rob Saroyan and Jennifer Vaughn directed guests to the cocktail bar. The favorite signature drink of the evening was the mojito, said to be one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite drinks -- a blend of rum, sugar, fresh mint, club soda and ice. Nancy Vajretti of Love & Garlic offered three small buffets featuring Latin foods. Guests sampled finger foods of pastelitos and empanadas.
The event invitation called for "sultry" attire and guests obliged: Women wore strapless linen dresses in bright colors of red, blue and yellow while male guests donned Panama hats and guayaberas, loose-fitting shirts popular in Latin America.
Some guests, such as Scott Moore, broke out cigars, including brands such as Cohiba and La Gloria Cubana, for the occasion.
A nine-piece band, The Mighty Stantons, played a large repertoire of Latin-styled numbers. Band members were Reggie Rodriquez, Joe Martinez, Pete Reggie Rodriquez, Ray Alaniz, Allen Reggie Rodriquez, Richard Juarez, Joe Reggie Rodriquez, Bill Orozo and Gabe Marez.
Three dance couples from Ritmo y Romance, a local dance company, danced nonstop to the band's hits. Cheryl Kershaw and Durwood Burrell, Nahyr Bracamontes and Juan Pablo Mancayo, and Olivia Villareal and Rico Estrada danced salsa, rumba, samba, tango and the cha-cha.
The party looked like a scene from Havana's famous "Buena Vista Social Club." Under a starlit sky and nearly full moon, several guests joined in the Cuban spirit and danced the night away.
For additional details on The Shakers, call (559) 459-2604 or go online to www.theshakersatcommunity.org.
Peter Robertson is a Fresno-area freelancer. Contact him at peter@fresnomail.com.